There's a double dose of good news for the Assembly Hall in Tunbridge Wells.

First the theatre is re-opening after an extended period of closure due to Covid 19.

The first show is tonight (Saturday) with the return of The Comedy Store. The comedians include Hal Cruttenden, Emmanuel Sonubi and Steve Gribbin, with the laughter starting at 8pm. All tickets are £12.75.

Then tomorrow (Sunday) the Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony Orchestra will present their Autumn Serenade concert, including works by Mozart, Piazzolla and Elgar.

Conductor Roderick Dunk will raise his baton at 3pm. Tickets start at £15.

In addition, the theatre, which is owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, has just been awarded a £500,000 Culture Recovery Grant.

The money comes from a £1.57 billion pot set aside by the Government to support arts venues through the financial shock of the pandemic.

Cllr Jane March, the cabinet member for culture, leisure and economic development, said: "The Assembly Hall Theatre is very important to the cultural landscape of the whole area and it plays a key role in supporting the local economy.

"This financial support from the Government will have a positive effect on many other organisations too."

Theatre director JJ Almond said: "We are delighted. It has been a dark time for live events in our town, but now the lights can go back on!

"This grant will help get us through to March 31, when we hope we can be returning to something that looks like what we have been used to for over the past eight decades.

"Now we just have to hope that our audiences will continue to support us as they always have – it’s now up to them to keep us all open."

Seating for tomorrow's concert has been reduced to allow for social distancing.

You can book for the shows here.